Good nutrition plays crucial roles in promoting normal organ development and functioning, growth, and maintenance. It builds a strong immune system to resist infection and minimize the risks for developing certain illnesses and helps the body cope with injuries. While pregnancy is a normal occurrence for a female body, it demands an increase to the daily nutritional allowances. Hence, the importance of maintaining ideal pregnancy nutrition is emphasized.

Every day pregnant women need to have a high-quality diet which is usually translated to 80 to 100 grams of protein, a little bit of salt, lots of water or fluids, and calories from foods obtained from a variety of whole food sources. In this regard, the food pyramid serves to be a useful pregnancy nutrition advice guide.

A womans body increases in size by 40 to 60 percent during pregnancy. With such increase comes the concern for the maintenance of proper pregnancy nutrition. By taking adequate levels of protein, salt, water, essential vitamins and minerals, this helps to reduce the risk of suffering preeclampsia. Sufficient intake of folic acid or B vitamins prevents neural tube birth defects on the baby, such as spina-bifida. Hence, both mother and baby benefit from proper nutrition as it ensures normal foetal growth and development, and healthy placenta and amniotic fluid.

The main consequences of poor pregnancy nutrition are an increased risk of disorders, and mortality. It makes the foetus more susceptible to degenerative diseases and cognitive or neural disorders. Certain precursory studies have proved that there is a link between pregnancy nutrition and foetal development, as well as the mothers health. Babies that are cared for by mothers that practise good pregnancy nutrition are known to have less restriction in the womb.

Living up to your doctor's pregnancy nutrition advice is also important in ensuring well-being as you make it to your full term. Since proper nutrition helps maintain balance to the hormonal and other bodily changes in a woman's body, it helps dampen the instances of mood swings, depression and other behavioural concerns related to pregnancy.

Eating the right balance of foods enhances and optimizes the benefits of relaxation. It also gives provides an expectant mum with more energy to move around and still do most of her normal activities while carrying the added weight of the baby. Given these benefits there is an increased possibility of a straightforward birth.

Actually, the benefits of a well-balanced diet must be established even before the pregnancy begins. To women who plan on getting pregnant, following the pregnancy nutrition advice not only ensures excellent health for conception, it also increases your chances of conceiving. The good news is that valuable pregnancy nutrition tips are available from a number of sources. Aside from shopping for baby clothes, these materials make wise investments for they will guide you on the things you need to know to take care of your baby.

Are we any better since the tampon scare settled down?

The big tampon scare of 1980 put new fear in the hearts of women and their families: what they were inserting into the vagina could be toxic. The culprit was a Rely brand of tampon that caused Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). TSS has a fatality rate of 6%.

What Causes TSS? What are the Symptoms?

Toxins from Staph aureus or Streptococci, which are generally part of the normal flora, cause TSS. When the diagnosis is made, IV antibiotics are administered, if the disease is caught in time. Once a woman gets TSS, she is susceptible to getting it again.

TSS Survey Facts: In the Terra Femme Tampon Health Survey, more than 1000 women were interviewed about tampon use. An average of 25% reported 4 or more symptoms of TSS. Three percent had been diagnosed with TSS. (6 major symptoms=TSS)

Symptoms of TSS include: flu-like symptoms, fever, headache, sore throat, muscle aches, chills, high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, sunburn-like red and flat rash, shedding of the skin in large sheets (especially on the palms and soles) seen two weeks after symptoms start, anxiety, dangerously low blood pressure, bloodshot eyes, bruising, confusion, and thirst.

The complications of the disease include shock, toxemia, renal failure and death. Risk factors to develop the disease include the use of super absorbent tampons, diaphragm, and contraceptive sponge usage, recent childbirth, and abortion. The tampons, diaphragm and sponge have this in common: the ability to collect the bacteria and allow it to reproduce.

What Was Done About TSS? The History of the Battle

You may recall that Proctor & Gamble recalled the Rely tampon from the shelves. But did you know that their public letter stated:

"This is being done despite the fact that we know of no defect in the Rely Tampon and despite evidence that the withdrawal of Rely will not eliminate the occurrence of TSS even if Rely's use is discontinued. The disease has been identified in Canada where Rely has never been marketed and was found in several areas of the U.S. before Rely was introduced into those areas."

The disease has continued, and although the last active surveillance was run in 1987, 113 cases were reported in 1999 according to the MMWR. Not monitoring the disease is a good way to suppress the fear and concern, isn't it?

Furthermore, Proctor & Gamble commented, "Much additional research of the habits and practices of women who have had TSS is needed to understand the reasons for the association of this disease with tampons." Yes, we can all use additional studies that postpone any blame or responsibility.

Maybe Tampons Weren't to Blame, You Think? Consider This

Tampons were originally made of pure cotton never had any risk of TSS associated with them. Women were safe back then. However, once companies started adding synthetic fibers, chlorine compounds such as dioxin and "secret" additives into the tampons that are in direct contact with the delicate female reproductive tissues, the disease mysteriously popped up. Is it any wonder that rates of female cancers and reproductive tract disorders have continued to rise throughout the years? Once the cells are damaged, they continue to reproduce with the defects caused by exposure to chemicals.

The Saga Continues

In 1995 California Assembly Member Liz Figueroa (D) introduced Bill A.B. 1963 that required the CA State Department of Health Services to "require that a warning be placed in a prominent location on the outside of the package of sanitary pads or tampons with a printed box surrounding it that provides as follows: WARNING: Use of this product will expose you to dioxin, known to cause cancer and birth defects."

The bill wanted women to be given the opportunity to understand that feminine hygiene products that contain dioxin are an unnecessary health hazard and the opportunity to avoid unnecessary health hazards whenever possible.

Proctor & Gamble countered and the American Forest and Paper Association opposed the bill stating that a definitive scientific study showing dioxin residue in sanitary products or the health consequences of the amount of dioxin residue had not been done. Furthermore, "There is nothing in science technology to indicate that totally chlorine-free processes are better processes."

A class action suit against Playtex and Tampax tampons did not result in positive action for women who had suffered from TSS.

Black or White: Do Feminine Products Contain Dioxin or Not?

An FDA scientist report on the health risks of dioxin brought up at a 1992 hearing of the Human and Intergovernmental Relations Subcommittee suggested that there was a high risk of dioxin exposure from tampons and stated that for risk management purposes, tampons and menstrual pads should contain no dioxin.

And although manufacturers said there was no dioxin in the rayon, FDA officials concluded that there was. They also said that if they did have a problem with medical devices, "menstrual products would be the greatest simply because of the mass of the material and the duration of exposure."

In 1989, International Playtex stated they measured some dioxin in their own pulp mills. Proctor & Gamble (P&G) reported to FDA officials that tampons, pads and panty liners all contained dioxin. P&G asked FDA to obtain statements from other manufacturers. No follow-up on the FDA's part was done by 1996 and probably ever since.

What Does Dioxin Do to The Body?

Studies show that dioxins are linked to or cause:

• metabolic syndrome

• periodontal disease

• uterine tumors like leiomyomas

• endometriosis

• sarcomas

• thyroid hormone disruptions

• acne

• disruption of implantation process

What's the Real Problem?

The real problem is the composition of the menstrual products. Rayon and chlorine compounds can cause health problems, if not death once these are absorbed by the body.

The Alternative Has Arrived

In February of 2009, Winalite International Corporation of China introduced the Anion Love Moon, a new sanitary pad to the ladies in the United States. The product had already been introduced to 22 other countries and women have accepted these healthier & more comfortable pads with open arms. The pad is very unique because it is safe, it contains no chemicals of any kind, and contains a super absorbent food grade polymer making it 50% more absorbent than pads on the market right now. In addition, it contains a special patented strip of negative ions that emit to the surrounding tissues after activation from friction or moisture.

Negative Ion Studies Show:

• they speed healing

• reduce bacteria counts in the air in burn units

• kills Salmonella, E. coli, Pseudomonas, and other pathogenic organisms

• Prevents tuberculosis transmission

• that when negative ions are increased in the air, respiratory diseases and asthma symptoms decreased

•Play a role in decreasing symptoms in manic

Although there are no official scientific studies on the product's effect on the female reproductive tract, women think the product is a "no-brainer". "No chemicals, no dioxins, and no super absorbency rayon means no cramps and less flow. Learn more today about the Anion Love Moon Napkin.